The Baron

Wish I had a known ya
When you were a little younger
'Round me you might have learned a thing or two
If I had known ya longer
You might be a little stronger
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do

As he walked into the pool room
You could tell he didn't fit
In his hand made boots, custom suit
Pearl handled shootin' stick
Tonight there'd be a showdown
Then everyone would know
Who shoots the meanest game around
The Baron or Billy Joe

Billy Joe was edgy
About to lose his cool
But The Baron's hands were steady
As the two began to duel
Yeah, he was like a general
On a battlefield of slate
And he would say to Billy Joe
Each time he sunk the eight

He'd say
Wish I had a known ya
When you were a little younger
'Round me you might have learned a thing or two
If I had known ya longer
You might be a little stronger
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do

Now Billy Joe was busted
But he hadn't felt the sting
And from the far end of the table
He threw his mother's wedding ring
And he said, "You've won my money
But it ain't gonna do the trick
I'll bet this ring on one more game
Against your fancy stick"

The Baron's eyes got foggy
As the ring rolled on the felt
And he almost doubled over
Like he was hit below the belt
Twenty years ago, it was the ring his wife had worn
And he didn't know before he left
That a son would soon be born

It sounded just like thunder
When The Baron shot the break
But it grew quickly quiet, as he lined up the eight
Then a warm hand touched his shoulder
And it chilled him to the bone
When he turned and saw the woman
Who had loved him for so long

The game was never finished
The eight ball never fell
The Baron calmly picked it up and put it on a shelf
Then he placed the ring in the hands
That held him long ago
And he tossed that fancy shootin' stick
To his son Billy Joe and he said

"Wish I had a known ya
When you were a little younger
'Round me you might have learned a thing or two
If I had known ya longer
You might be a little stronger
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do
Maybe you'd shoot straighter than you do"